Camping near Morrisville, Missouri provides access to several lake-based recreational areas with Stockton Lake serving as the primary destination. The region sits at approximately 900 feet elevation with terrain characterized by rolling hills and oak-hickory forests. Seasonal temperatures fluctuate significantly with summer highs often reaching 90°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing, affecting camping comfort throughout the year.
What to do
Kayaking on marked trails: Stockton State Park Campground offers dedicated kayak trails marked across the lake. "Great state park. Cleanest restrooms I've seen. Great trails. Bring the kayaks. They have some pretty cool kayak marked trails on the lake. Beautiful sail boats to see as well!" notes one visitor to Stockton State Park Campground.
Berry picking: B Berry Farms & Co. allows campers to harvest fresh berries during season. "We enjoyed picking black berries right next to our campsite to have with breakfast in the morning," shares a visitor to B Berry Farms & Co., adding a unique food-gathering experience to standard camping activities.
Swimming from natural rock formations: Cedar Ridge Campground offers swimming opportunities beyond designated beaches. "If you walk down the trails there are great places to swim near camp including 'Chicken Rock' a large island out in the lake the kids love to swim to and jump off," explains a camper who visited the area.
Axe throwing: For campers seeking non-water activities, B Berry Farms provides recreational options on land. "This place has everything from axe throwing to free coffee and the property is engineered and planned very nicely," notes one visitor who found this alternative activity appealing.
What campers like
Private shoreline access: Hawker Point at Stockton Lake offers secluded waterfront spots. "Just up the hill from the lake and completely private. The walk to the lake was about 50 yards and a little steep but we managed to carry two kayaks down and up without too much trouble, and it was totally worth the effort because it was as if we had our own private cove," explains a visitor to Hawker Point Campground.
Spacious, shaded sites: Campgrounds near Morrisville often feature good tree cover for comfort. "The sites are well spaced and there is plenty of shade. Full hookups and excellent WiFi," reports a visitor to Cooks RV Motor Park about their stay.
Camp food amenities: Springfield Route 66 KOA offers unique food options delivered to your site. "The mini donuts they delivered to your site in the morning hit the spot! No road noise...but there is a train!" shares one camper about their experience, while another adds, "They even delivered pizza right to our site."
Recreational buildings: Several campgrounds feature communal spaces. "They have constructed a cute rec house with darts, corn hole, even a little reading nook," explains a visitor to B Berry Farms & Co., highlighting the alternative activities available during inclement weather.
What you should know
Train noise affects some areas: The Springfield Route 66 KOA sits near active train tracks. "Because you're going to see and hear a lot of them, as there is a train track very close to the site. If it wasn't for the trains coming by blowing their horns, this would easily be a favorite spot," notes a camper at Springfield Route 66 KOA.
Seasonal differences in facilities: Winter campers should note reduced services. "We stayed in campground one because it is the only one open during the off season. One negative is we only found one toilet for the entire campground," reports a visitor to Bennett Spring State Park Campground during winter.
Water levels affect site quality: Lake fluctuations impact shoreline camping. "Good place to go when lake level is high," advises a visitor to Hawker Point, indicating that water levels can significantly alter camping conditions throughout the season.
Staff availability varies: Some campgrounds have inconsistent host coverage. "We camp here all the time and enjoy it. We went on Monday and it was the first time meeting the new part time camp host," notes a visitor to Crabtree Cove, suggesting weekday camping may have different management.
Tips for camping with families
Look for parks with paved roads: Bennett Spring State Park features infrastructure suitable for children's activities. "The roads are all paved so it made biking for our kids easy and enjoyable. The campsite was spacious and shaded. The kids loved playing in the creek and hiking the trails," shares a visitor to Bennett Spring State Park Campground.
Consider swim areas beyond beaches: Cedar Ridge offers alternatives to conventional swimming areas. "The kids loved watching the sailboats on this part of the lake. They also love the Sandy Beach," mentions a family that stayed at the campground.
Check campground activities: B Berry Farms & Co. provides designed spaces for various age groups. "This place was awesome. There is so much to do and for all ages. Great family fun activities and very nice layout," notes a family staying in their bunkhouse accommodations.
Reserve lakefront sites early: Hawker Point campgrounds fill quickly in high season. "Make reservations early because it is full most of the time. Mon Tues, Wed seem to be the only openings if you wait too long," advises a visitor.
Tips from RVers
RV site leveling: Campground terrain can challenge larger vehicles. "The one site suitable for large RVs is not very level. We have a 40' Renegade Verona and it took 6 tries to find a place near the hookups where our auto-level would find a good position," warns a visitor to B Berry Farms & Co..
Fill water tanks before arrival: Several campgrounds lack water hookups. "Also, fill your rig with water before you go. There are no water hookups," advises a visitor to Hawker Point campground, highlighting the need to prepare water supplies in advance.
Satellite reception considerations: Tree coverage affects services for RVers. "The only downside was that we had to pull ahead in our site to get satellite signal. So we had to back up to dump," notes a visitor to Springfield Route 66 KOA, indicating the tradeoff between shade and connectivity.
Check amperage available: Power options vary between campgrounds. "We did the Lake View trail and it was a well maintained easy trail. The views are fantastic and the shade was welcomed on a hot day," comments a visitor to Crabtree Cove, highlighting the importance of shade when traveling in hot weather.
